ETNZ History Part 2

THE HISTORY OF ETNZ - PART 2 The second instalment in our series covering the history of Emirates Team New Zealand and our ever-evolving role as the team’s hydraulic suppliers, today we delve first into the frustrations of 1992’s controversial loss in San Diego, before their glorious 5-0 win against Stars and Stripes in 1995. 1992 - CONTROVERSY SCUPPERS ‘THIRD TIME LUCKY’ With passion inflamed, Fay funded another America’s Cup cycle and returned with another Farr designed innovation. The tandem keel was a new tool as well as a bowsprit that would later become the centre of attention for more off-water trouble. Skippered this time by Rod Davis, NZL was quick and light and made easy work of the round robin. Boats from Russia, Sweden, Spain, Japan, France and Australia were swept aside until the finals where American Paul Cayard and the Italian syndicate, Il Moro di Venezia waited. Things looked good for the Kiwis at 4-1 in the final until Cayard launched a protest over the bowsprit which was a pole that extended off the prow or nose of the boat. Once again, off-water distractions derailed the Kiwi crew and after the removal of the ‘illegal’ bowsprit and being docked a race win proceeded to lose to Cayard 3-5. The events left a bitter taste in the mouth of sailors, fans and Fay who decided his time in the Cup was done. One of the positives to come out of the failed campaign was the emergence of Peter Blake who although turning up late in the event, had a sample and wanted to right the wrongs. HYDRAULIC FUNCTIONS ON NZL 20 1992 - CONTROVERSY SCUPPERS ‘THIRD TIME LUCKY’ After the 1992 disappointment, a vacuum of funding left Blake to seek out $30 million of sponsorship and even pay the initial $75,000 entry fee himself. Building his team of sailors and designers started in earnest and in 1984 Olympic Gold medallist Russell Coutts, he had his skipper and in Tom Schnackenberg, his design guru and navigator who helped Bond win in 1983. From the start, Blake put emphasis on communication within the team thus forging a stronger bond amongst them all. Working with a slender budget in the end helped with the decision making and design innovation and the team of designers created two carbon fibre boats that would become known as Black Magic 1 (NZL 32) and 2 (NZL 38). On the water in San Diego, NZL 38 featuring Brad Butterworth and Craig Monk was untouchable during round robin and was defeated only once after 24 races. Retired for the subtle design differences of NLZ 32 for the playoff races, NZL 38 was seen as the quicker boat and the change raised eyebrows. Losing two races in the semi-finals added strength to the argument but NZL 32 would soon prove to be the fastest, cruising past John Bertrand and One Australia 5-1. It had been a drama-filled regatta for the Australians as they infamously sunk in choppy seas during round robin four against NZL 38. As the $4 million dollar boat snapped almost clean in two, there would have been some quiet sniggers back in New Zealand living rooms – after all 16 crew members were rescued. While Black Magic was undoubtedly the flagship Kiwi boat, Chris Dickson had success on the Tag Heuer boat which had renowned Kiwi sailors Peter Lester and Mike Sanderson on board. Dickson steered his crew into the semi-finals and displayed the immense sailing depth New Zealand possessed. The events in San Diego were capturing the attention back home and so were Blake’s bright red socks. Given to him by his wife, Pippa and worn for every race, they became a lucky charm, confirmed when Black Magic lost their first race – Blake was noticeably absent. The Red Sock campaign kicked off and around $100,000 crucial dollars were raised by the Kiwi public who bought into the superstition HYDRAULIC FUNCTIONS ON NZL 32 and fervour. NEXT TIME: NZ’s famous first hosting of the cup, our 2000 defence against Prada on the Hauraki Gulf..

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